(foto: Screenshot)
Lionel Messi’s £9.5 million Ibiza villa could face partial demolition after local authorities found planning violations and environmental concerns on protected land.
Lionel Messi's lavish Ibiza villa, worth around £9.5 million, is at risk of being partially demolished after Spanish authorities uncovered illegal modifications and environmental violations at the luxury property.
The Inter Miami superstar purchased the mansion from Swiss businessman Philippe Amon in 2022. Located on Ibiza’s picturesque western coast in the Sant Josep de Sa Talaia area, the villa quickly ran into legal trouble due to unauthorized extensions, including a garage and basement that breached planning regulations.
The home spans over 16,000 square meters and features a 92-square-meter swimming pool, offering stunning sea views. However, despite its grandeur, the property reportedly lacks the necessary permits and a certificate of occupancy. In 2022, local authorities issued a mayoral decree prohibiting Messi from carrying out any additional construction work until the situation was resolved.
According to ABC, Ibiza’s city council has now opened formal proceedings to address the violations. If the irregularities are not corrected, a partial demolition remains on the table. Officials are also examining the environmental impact, as the estate sits on protected land — a factor that has led to the property being labeled a “toxic asset”, meaning it cannot currently be sold or rented.
The villa has faced controversy before. Last year, climate activists from the group Futuro Vegetal vandalized the mansion, splashing it with red and black paint and posing with protest banners near the pool and private football pitch. Messi reportedly demanded £50,000 in compensation for the damage.
While Messi is not directly accused of committing the construction violations himself, his ownership of the property places him at the center of an ongoing legal and environmental dispute. Unless the issues are resolved, part of his Ibiza retreat could soon face demolition orders.